5. Strategic and managerial issues of official statistics

5.1 Institutional frameworks and principles, and role =
of official statistics (EFTA)

Institutional framework of =
EFTA Statistical cooperation

=20

=E2=80=A2 The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) is an intergovernme=
ntal organisation for the promotion of free trade and economic integration =
to benefit its four Member States: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switz=
erland. Since the beginning of the 90s, EFTA has progressively developed a =
statistical cooperation policy with Eurostat. =E2=80=A2 For Iceland, =
Liechtenstein and Norway, statistical cooperation with Eurostat is provided=
for in the Agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA) which gathers the=
3 EFTA countries and the 27 EU Member States into a single market. =
=E2=80=A2 Statistical Cooperation between Switzerland and Eurostat is gover=
ned by a bilateral agreement.

=20

Objective of EFTA Statistic=
al Cooperation

=20

The EFTA Statistical Office (ESO) was created as a liaison office betwee=
n Eurostat and the EFTA national statistical institutes. ESO's main objecti=
ve is to promote the full inclusion of the EFTA States in the European Stat=
istical System (ESS), and thus provide harmonised and comparable statistics=
supporting the general cooperation process between EFTA and the EU within =
and outside the EEA Agreement. The cooperation also entails technical coope=
ration programmes with third countries and training of European statisticia=
ns. ESO is located on the premises of Eurostat, the Statistical Office of t=
he European Union, in Luxembourg.

5.1 Institutional frameworks and principles, role an=
d organisation of official statistics (Eurostat)

Theme 8.04 Management of le=
gal bases

=20

Fields of activities covered by the theme

=20

=E2=80=A2 Activities to ensure the application and coherence of statisti=
cal legislation, contribution to relevant Commission-wide reporting require=
ments and relations with European Parliament and the Council on legislative=
matters.

5.1 Institutional frameworks and principles, role an=
d organisation of official statistics (OECD)

OECD Enlargement=
span>

=20

Purpose

=20

1. Following the accession in 2010 of four countries in the OECD (Chile,=
Estonia, Israel and Slovenia), to ensure the integration of statistics rel=
ated to these countries in the Organisation's reporting and information sys=
tems and to assist with and monitor improvements to their statistical syste=
ms and statistics as required. 2. To co-ordinate reviews of the statistical=
system and statistics of the Russian Federation (RF) in order to assist Co=
uncil in taking an informed decision on whether to invite RF to accede to t=
he OECD Convention and become a Member. To collect and review data and meta=
data from Russian statistical authorities in order to support the examinati=
on of economic and other policies by the OECD Committees. 3. Also, to impro=
ve and expand the statistical co-operation with the five "enhanced eng=
agement" countries (Brazil, India, Indonesia, China and South Africa).=
4. Furthermore, to co-ordinate the development of statistics for G20 count=
ries or other non-members of relevance for the organisation.

=20

Objectives and outputs

=20

This activity is to support the Committee on Statistics in its evaluatio=
n of the statistical system and statistics of the Russian Federation, a cou=
ntry selected for possible membership in the OECD. To help the candidate co=
untries integration in the Organisation's reporting and information systems=
upon accession. The Enlargement Activity will also engage exchanges with t=
he "enhanced engagement" (EE) countries in order to improve our u=
nderstanding of their statistical policies and programs, and co-ordinate th=
e development of working level statistical projects involving EE countries =
and OECD Members.

Co-ordination of the development of statistics for G20 or other new area=
s, promote an enhanced statistical co-operation with Brazil, China, India, =
Indonesia, South Africa and with Argentina and Saudi Arabia as members of t=
he G20.

Monitor the adherence to, and advocate for, the UN Fundamental Principle=
s of Official Statistics in UNECE Member countries, with special focus on t=
he countries of Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia (EECCA) and South=
-East Europe (SEE). Ensure adherence to the Principles Governing Internatio=
nal Statistical Activities within UNECE Secretariat.

=20

Activities and output

=20

=E2=80=A2 Support the implementation of Fundamental Principles in EECCA =
and SEE countries, by providing advice for legal and organisational aspects=
of official statistics.

=20

=E2=80=A2 Promote the full implementation of the Principles Governing In=
ternational Statistical Activities in the UNECE Secretariat.

=E2=80=A2 Implement the European System of Central Banks's annual statis=
tical work programme for European statistics, which focus on the high-prior=
ity items identified in the medium-term work programme for the ECB's statis=
tical function (2009-2012), as described in the ECB's website.

=20

=E2=80=A2 The statistical activities are coordinated by the Statistics C=
ommittee of the European System of Central Banks (ESCB) and its working gro=
ups on external statistics, euro area accounts, general economic statistics=
, government finance statistics, monetary and financial statistics, and sta=
tistical information systems as well as the related business coordination g=
roups and task forces.

=20

=E2=80=A2 Contribute substantially to the work of the Committee on Monet=
ary, Financial and Balance of Payments Statistics (CMFB), particularly conc=
erning the excessive deficit procedure statistics.

=20

=E2=80=A2 Co-ordinate the ESCB statistical activities and cooperate with=
Eurostat and other international organisations to improve the quality of E=
uropean statistics.

=20

=E2=80=A2 Provide statistical support to the European Systemic Risk Boar=
d, responsible for macro-prudential oversight of the financial system withi=
n the new European financial supervisory architecture established in the Eu=
ropean Union up from 1 January 2011.

=20

=E2=80=A2 Participate, as member of the Inter-Agency Group on Economic a=
nd Financial Statistics in the development and implementation of the Action=
Plan on Statistics supported by the finance ministers and central bank gov=
ernors of the G20 in June 2010. This action plan contains timetables for th=
e implementation of 20 recommendations on how to address the measurement of=
risks in the financial sector, international financial linkages and the vu=
lnerability of economies to shocks, as well as the communication of officia=
l statistics.

=20

=E2=80=A2 Participate in the Irving Fisher Committee on Central Bank Sta=
tistics (also as a member of the Executive) in the exchange of views amongs=
t central bank economists, statisticians and policy-makers of statistical i=
ssues of interest to central banks. Recent activities include data initiati=
ves related to financial stability and initiatives to address data gaps rev=
ealed by the financial crisis.

A specific EEA annual statistical programme is developed every year by t=
he EFTA Statistical Office in consultation with the EFTA National Statistic=
al Institutes. The EEA annual statistical programme is based on a subset of=
, and in parallel with the annual statistical programme elaborated by the E=
uropean Commission.

=20

Switzerland/EU annual stati=
stical programme

=20

A specific annual statistical programme is drawn up every year in the fr=
amework of the bilateral agreement in the field of statistics between Switz=
erland and the EU.

=E2=80=A2 Monitoring and promoting the implementation of the European St=
atistics Code of Practice (CoP); =E2=80=A2 Coordination of quality as=
pects within the production of European statistics; =E2=80=A2 Impleme=
ntation of the quality assurance framework for statistical processes and ou=
tputs in Eurostat; =E2=80=A2 Activities of the Sponsorship on Quality=
. These activities for 2011, particularly the work conducted by the S=
ponsorship Quality, contribute to the revision and extension of the existin=
g quality framework in the ESS to better fit the requirements laid done in =
Commission Communication on the production method of EU statistics.

=20

In addition the evaluations included in the programme, provide instrumen=
ts for better interact with users and partners: =E2=80=A2 Evaluation =
of the Community Statistical Programme; =E2=80=A2 Implementation of r=
olling reviews and user and partner surveys in particular.

=20

The following activities refer to statistical coordination and classific=
ations.

=20

=E2=80=A2 Update and maintenance of RAMON, the new version of Eurostat's=
metadata server, which makes available statistical classifications and the=
relevant correspondence tables, standard code lists, statistical concepts =
and definitions, legal acts pertaining to statistics and methodological man=
uals. =E2=80=A2 Coordinate changes in legislation with a view to adop=
t accounting definitions if feasible. =E2=80=A2 Follow-up of changes =
in accounting standards with a view to assess their impact on statistics. =E2=80=A2 Development, updating and implementation of a harmonised set=
of central statistical classifications such as the European Classification=
of Economic Activities (NACE), the Statistical Classification of Products =
by Activities (CPA) and the International Standard Classification on Occupa=
tions (ISCO), the Combined Nomenclature (CN) of commodities and the Geonome=
nclature of countries for the European Statistical System. These acti=
vities are oriented to enhance the interaction with users by providing them=
with updated concepts definitions and classification used in the statistic=
s disseminated by Eurostat. In addition promoting the use of accounting dat=
a is in line with the requirements of Commission Communication on the produ=
ction method of EU statistics and should contribute to a better use of the =
existing data leading to efficiency gains.

=20

1. Work to be carried out by Eurostat in 2011

=20

1.1 NEW WORK, INCLUDING NEW PLANNED LEGISLATION

=20

=E2=80=A2 Extension of ESS quality frameworks in line with Sponsorship o=
n Quality Recommendation; =E2=80=A2 Preparatory work for launching th=
e ex-post evaluation of the CSP 2008-2012; =E2=80=A2 ESS-net on the h=
armonisation and implementation of a European Socio-economic classification=
(ESeC).

=20

1.2 ONGOING WORK

=20

=E2=80=A2 Monitoring of Member States' implementation of the European St=
atistics Code of Practice; =E2=80=A2 Activities related to the promot=
ion of the implementation of the Code of Practice and of quality assurance =
in the ESS; =E2=80=A2 Quality assessments of Eurostat statistical pro=
cesses; =E2=80=A2 Activities of the Sponsorship on Quality; =E2=
=80=A2 Implementation of evaluations ( rolling reviews) for the assessment =
of statistical processes and outputs; =E2=80=A2 Integrate and improve=
the Eurostat metadata system using the CVD (Cycle de vie des donnée=
s) Metadata Handler (comprising the SDMX (Statistical Data and Metadata eXc=
hange) registry, Ramon, etc.) and based on international standards (such as=
the Neuchâtel Model); =E2=80=A2 Coordinate the work of the tas=
k force on accounting and statistics including the follow-up of development=
s in accounting and appropriate reporting; =E2=80=A2 Monitor implemen=
tation of the Statistical Classification Of Economic Activities (NACE Rev.2=
) and the classification of products by activity (CPA 2008); =E2=80=
=A2 Ensure the adoption of the Combined Nomenclature (CN) 2012, incorporati=
ng the concluding results of the CN modernisation project and the transposi=
tion of Harmonised System (HS) 2012; =E2=80=A2 Monitor the implementa=
tion of the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO-08).=

=20

1.3 ACTIONS LEADING TO THE REDUCTION OF RESPONSE BURDEN AND =
THE SIMPLIFICATION OF STATISTICAL PROCESSES

=E2=80=A2 Support to implement the Communication on the production metho=
d of EU statistics: Be a home for the "Balance Scorecard"; =
=E2=80=A2 Promote and develop creativity and innovation; =E2=80=A2 Bu=
ild up an integrated management process (Strategic Planning & Programmi=
ng Cycle of the Commission) (subject to the new Commission guidelines).

=
=20

1.2 ONGOING WORK

=20

=E2=80=A2 Coordinate the preparation of the annual statistical work prog=
ramme; =E2=80=A2 Prepare Eurostat´s contribution to the Strateg=
ic Planning and Programming Cycle of the Commission; =E2=80=A2 Prepar=
e the next Multiannual Programme; =E2=80=A2 Conduct the annual risk m=
anagement exercise; =E2=80=A2 Monitor the implementation of the &quot=
; Communication on the production method of EU statistics "; =E2=
=80=A2 Assess the compliance and effectiveness of the implementation of the=
Internal Control Standards (self-assessment); =E2=80=A2 Increase the=
efficiency of the planning and programming process; =E2=80=A2 Develo=
p and promote process and project management techniques within Eurostat; =E2=80=A2 Monitor and report on progress on audit recommendations at Eu=
rostat level; =E2=80=A2 Monitor and coordinate Eurostat's contributio=
ns relating to administrative simplification and burden reduction.

The Population Division participates in the activities of the Committee =
for the Coordination of Statistical Activities (CCSA). The Population=
Division organizes the annual Coordination Meeting on International Migrat=
ion. Through this and other mechanisms, dissemination of migration data and=
migration estimates are being discussed and coordinated.

=E2=80=A2 The Work Programmes of the Interstate Statistical Committee of=
the CIS are the main document organizing its activities in the forthcoming=
year and for three years perspective (the Work Programme of CIS-STAT for 2=
011 and for the period 2009-2011).

=20

=E2=80=A2 The structure of the mentioned Work Programmes covers the foll=
owing kinds of activities: methodological work, economic work, exchange of =
experience and training of the personnel of national statistical services o=
f the CIS, information and publishing activities, dissemination of informat=
ion and information and reference services, improvement of computer technol=
ogy, cooperation with international organizations.

=20

=E2=80=A2 Considerable part of works included in the programmes is conne=
cted with methodological, analytical and information and publishing activit=
ies and submission of necessary information to interstate bodies of the CIS=
, government and economic bodies of the Commonwealth, international organiz=
ations, mass media and other users. These programmes include, high priority=
work on the forecast of production, imports, exports and "visible con=
sumption" of selected kinds of products in the countries of the Common=
wealth for 2011 in the conditions of the free trade zone (jointly with the =
Executive Committee of the CIS).

=20

The Work Programme for 2010 envisaged is a number of works connected wit=
h a new direction of CIS-STAT's work - forecast estimates:

=20

1) Improvement of the methodology of forecasting the growth rates of the=
main macroeconomic indicators on the basis of new approaches in the field =
of forecasting used in the world practice.

=20

2) Maintenance of the database for forecast estimates of the main macroe=
conomic indicators growth rates by CIS countries.

=20

3) Preparation of analytic papers on the following themes:

=20

=E2=80=A2 Actual trends of GDP and consumer prices growth in 2009 in the=
Commonwealth countries in comparison with the forecast trends; =E2=
=80=A2 Review of the main world trends (including CIS countries) in 2010 an=
d nearest perspectives of development; =E2=80=A2 Forecast estimates o=
f GDP and consumer prices growth as an average for the world and most impor=
tant regional amalgamations of the countries of the world (including CIS co=
untries) for 2011; =E2=80=A2 Forecast estimates of the growth rates o=
f main macroeconomic indicators of the CIS countries for the period 2011-20=
12; =E2=80=A2 On the perspectives of the development of CIS countries=
in the nearest years against the world trends.

=20

4) Collection of information for CIS countries on the forecasts of the main indicators for the period 2011-2012, programmes of the developmen=
t of economy in middle and long-term perspectives prepared by governmental =
bodies of the countries (ministries of economy, finances, central banks, et=
c.) and their adjustments during 2011 (from Internet and other sources).

=20

5) Collection of analytic and statistical materials of the UN, IMF, the =
World Bank, Asian Development Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and De=
velopment, OECD, Eurostat and other international organizations on the tren=
ds of the development of the economy of the world, regional amalgamations a=
nd selected countries of the world, on general perspectives of their develo=
pment for the coming years, on forecasts of growth rates of the main macroe=
conomic indicators of the countries of the world (including CIS countries) =
for the period 2011-2012 and on their adjustments during 2011 (from Interne=
t and other sources).

=20

In pursuance of the decision of the Council of the Heads of States of th=
e CIS of November 28, 2006 the CIS countries carry out active work aimed at=
successful conduct of the new round of population censuses to execute the =
World Programme of 2010 Population and Housing Censuses.

=20

In 2011 it is envisaged to organize a regular meeting of the Coordinatio=
n Council on Population Censuses, at which the representatives of national =
statistical services will discuss brief results of the censuses conduct, as=
well as methodological recommendations on statistical study of socio demog=
raphic aspects connected with ageing of population (on the basis of the dat=
a of current statistics and population censuses).

=E2=80=A2 The ILO Department of Statistic was established in May 2009, w=
hich replaced the former ILO Bureau of Statistics, and is responsible, inte=
r alia, for compiling and making available in a timely manner ILO statistic=
s on the four pillars of Decent Work. The compilation, quality control and =
dissemination of ILO statistical information is now centrally managed and c=
oordinated by the Department of Statistics. All statistical methodologies a=
nd databases carried out by different units within sectors and regions are =
coordinated by the Department of Statistics. All units, regions and sectors=
are requested to seek technical clearance from the Department of Statistic=
s before disseminating and publishing global and regional statistical data.=

=20

=E2=80=A2 The Department defines and implements a statistical capacity-b=
uilding programme for the Office and its constituents.

=20

=E2=80=A2 The Director of the Department of Statistics serves as the ILO=
Chief Statistician and is consulted on all matters of data collection, sta=
tistical methodologies and major publications and releases of ILO statistic=
al information.

=E2=80=A2 Monitor and ensure adherence to the quality assurance procedur=
es and quality principles stated in the ECB Statistics Quality Framework (S=
QF), which guides the statistical function of the ECB. The SQF is fully in =
line with and builds upon the ESCB's public commitment with respect to its =
statistical function.

=20

=E2=80=A2 Revision analysis for general economic statistics based on a v=
intages database to which revision indicators are applied.

=E2=80=A2 Finalise the project on implementing revised financial circuit=
s; =E2=80=A2 Contribute to work on the evaluation of long term expend=
iture needs, taking into account the priorities linked to the re-engineerin=
g of the statistical production system and the upcoming negotiation of the =
Regulation on Financial perspectives 2014-2020; =E2=80=A2 Streamline =
the grant award process; =E2=80=A2 Develop possible options to implem=
ent Art. 15 of the Regulation on European statistics stipulating that 'an a=
dequate financial structure shall be developed' to support sharing of exper=
ience and results within the ESS through collaborative networks.

=E2=80=A2 Assurance and counselling engagements; =E2=80=A2 Opinion=
s on control systems in Eurostat; =E2=80=A2 Follow-up of the implemen=
tation of audit recommendations.

=20

1. Work to be carried out by Eurostat in 2011

=20

1.2 ONGOING WORK

=20

=E2=80=A2 Risk analyses; =E2=80=A2 Audit engagements in conformity=
with International. Audit Standards; =E2=80=A2 Counselling engagemen=
ts; =E2=80=A2 Follow up of the implementation of the audit recommenda=
tions; =E2=80=A2 Opinion on the state of the control system in Eurost=
at in support to the Directorate-General AAR.

To enhance the quality of OECD statistics, to provide a systematic mecha=
nism for ongoing identification and resolution of quality problems, to incr=
ease the transparency of the processes used by the OECD to assure quality, =
to reinforce the political role of the OECD in the context of an informatio=
n society.

=20

Objectives and outputs

=20

The framework focuses on improving the quality of data collected, compil=
ed and disseminated by the OECD through an improvement of the Organisation'=
s processes and management, though there will be a positive spillover effec=
t on the quality of data compiled at national level. The framework is compo=
sed of four elements: a definition of quality and its dimensions; a procedu=
re for assuring the quality of proposed new statistical activities; a proce=
dure for evaluating the quality of existing statistical activities on a reg=
ular basis; and internal quality guidelines covering all phases of the stat=
istical production process.

=20

Main Developments for 2011

=20

General aspects:

=20

Following feedback from users, the Quality Framework and Review is under=
going a review to streamline the process and make the focus more quality or=
iented and to include user input. Following the review a number of Qu=
ality Reviews of OECD Statistical Activities will be carried out during 201=
1.

The UIS has made improving data quality a major component of its current=
work programme, and has a series of initiatives under way to systematicall=
y measure, report on, and improve data quality with a special focus on time=
liness and accessibility. The Institute is also seeking to improve the cove=
rage of its data and metadata. The Institute and OECD have developed =
a version of the IMF DQAF specifically for education that is used in capaci=
ty building activities.

=20

The UIS has also a Quality Monitoring and Reporting Framework t=
o assess the quality of its survey activities and the content of the intern=
ational statistical database. This framework aligns UIS strategic objective=
s with a key set of performance indicators. It is based on existing work do=
ne by the IMF and Eurostat.

=E2=80=A2 The World Bank has been working with the IMF on the Socio-demo=
graphic and Poverty modules of the Data Quality Assessment Framework (DQAF)=
. The framework provides countries with a flexible structure for the qualit=
ative assessment of various aspects of the statistical environment and infr=
astructure in which the data are collected, processed, and disseminated. It=
also identifies areas requiring technical assistance. The income poverty a=
nd education modules have been completed. Modules for health and population=
are under development.

5.4 Management and development of human resources (=
ECB)

=E2=80=A2 Continue organising training activities on statistics for staf=
f of the ECB, the National Central Banks of the European Union and to a lim=
ited extent for other central banks. The topics relate to the ECB relevant =
statistical fields (e.g. monetary and financial statistics; balance of paym=
ents and international investment position statistics; financial accounts; =
statistical data exchange and SDMX standards, etc.).

5.4 Management and development of human resources (=
EFTA)

European Statistical Traini=
ng Programme

=20

EFTA attaches great importance to quality and comparability of European =
statistics and therefore supports Eurostat in the design and implementation=
of an ambitious European Statistical Training Programme (ESTP). In 2011, t=
he EFTA Secretariat will fund the organisation of three ESTP courses respec=
tively on Business registers (Norway), Data analysis and data modelling (Sw=
itzerland) and Survey methodology and sampling techniques (Switzerland). Th=
ese courses are provided by EFTA National Statistical Institutes and open f=
or participation of statisticians from EFTA and EU Member States. In return=
, EFTA statisticians will be invited to participate in all ESTP courses sup=
ported and financed by the European Commission (Eurostat). Other applicants=
may be admitted to the courses depending on the availability of places.

5.4 Management and development of human resources (=
Eurostat)

Theme 6.02 Statistical trai=
ning

=20

Fields of activities covered by the theme

=20

Conception and implementation of Eurostat's learning and development str=
ategy for statistical training in the ESS (the ESS Learning and Development=
Framework (LDF)) aiming at: =E2=80=A2 Improving the overall quality =
of European statistics; =E2=80=A2 Raising the qualification of statis=
ticians in the ESS in order to promote their independence in line with the =
European Statistics Code of Practice; =E2=80=A2 Encouraging both theo=
retical and practical learning and development; =E2=80=A2 Encouraging=
the exchange of best practices, know how and experience; =E2=80=A2 S=
upporting the implementation of the reengineering of the statistical produc=
tion processes in the ESS and the required adapted skills and competence ne=
eds; =E2=80=A2 Providing new alternative learning and development opp=
ortunities beyond traditional training; =E2=80=A2 Definition of appro=
priate set up of a European Master's in Official Statistics.

=20

1. Work to be carried out by Eurostat in 2011

=20

1.1 NEW WORK, INCLUDING NEW PLANNED LEGISLATION

=20

=E2=80=A2 Review learning and development offer for ESS in view of the i=
mplementation of the Communication on the production method of EU statistic=
s.

=20

1.2 ONGOING WORK

=20

=E2=80=A2 Evaluate the training provided in 2010 in the framework of the=
European Statistical Training Programme; =E2=80=A2 Successfully impl=
ement the ESTP core programme 2011, including internal and external courses=
based on a training needs analysis by the end of the year; =E2=80=A2=
Establish core ESTP 2012 catalogue publication; =E2=80=A2 Prepare im=
plementation of the DM decision by end of 2010 on the appropriate strategy =
for the European Master's in Official Statistics; =E2=80=A2 Successfu=
lly coordinate all ESS LDF projects by the end of the year enhancing beyond=
-the-classroom learning methodologies aiming to foster exchange of best pra=
ctices through amongst others benchlearning methodology and knowledge-shari=
ng approach; =E2=80=A2 Successfully provide guidelines for the use of=
Competence profiles of European Statisticians; =E2=80=A2 Prepare and=
initiate implementation of ESS-LDF Portal; =E2=80=A2 Organise succes=
sfully the 2011 Eurostat study visit (European Statistical Week); =E2=
=80=A2 Define E-learning application for the ESS; =E2=80=A2 Establish=
guidelines on Impact on Learning for ESS learning and development actions.=

=20

Theme 7.02 Management of hu=
man resources

=20

Fields of activities covered by the theme

=20

=E2=80=A2 Conception and implementation of Eurostat's human resources st=
rategy based on the Commission's administrative reform and human resources =
policy; =E2=80=A2 Development and implementation of a personnel polic=
y for permanent and external staff as regards succession planning, selectio=
n and recruitment ; =E2=80=A2 Development and implementation of caree=
rs including staff appraisal and promotion =E2=80=A2 Management of al=
location, screening and reorganisation; =E2=80=A2 Management of the m=
obility plan; =E2=80=A2 Continued improvement of the integration of n=
ewcomers; =E2=80=A2 Follow-up of the implementation of the equal oppo=
rtunities action plan and the actions on diversity; =E2=80=A2 Design =
and implementation of actions on well-being; =E2=80=A2 Promotion and =
management of flexible working arrangements (part-time, flexitime, telework=
); =E2=80=A2 Management of staff leave/absences; =E2=80=A2 Conc=
eption and implementation of Eurostat's learning and development strategy b=
ased on the Commission's Learning and Development Framework and the require=
ments of the implementation of the Communication on the production method o=
f EU statistics (reengineering of ESS statistical production system) =
=E2=80=A2 Development and implementation of an tailored training programme =
for Eurostat staff covering also changing competences and skills =E2=
=80=A2 Development, implementation and promotion of alternative learning an=
d development opportunities with the aim of creating a learning organisatio=
n =E2=80=A2 Organisation of big team/directorate away days and provis=
ion of consultancy services =E2=80=A2 Organisation of annual manageme=
nt seminars (Heads of Unit Seminar and Directors Seminar) =E2=80=A2 E=
stablishment of synergies with the ESS Learning and Development Framework=
p>=20

1. Work to be carried out by Eurostat in 2011

=20

1.1 NEW WORK, INCLUDING NEW PLANNED LEGISLATION

=20

=E2=80=A2 Have implementation of career development project fully planne=
d by end 2010, including work on mobility management and the job informatio=
n system / e-CV.

=20

1.2 ONGOING WORK

=20

=E2=80=A2 Manage and develop selection and recruitment for all categorie=
s of staff (officials, Seconded National Experts, contract staff, interim s=
taff, trainees). =E2=80=A2 Manage and improve allocation, clearing an=
d screening exercises for human resources. =E2=80=A2 Plan, implement =
and monitor the appraisal and promotion exercise in keeping with Commission=
deadlines, including a help desk for all actors. =E2=80=A2 Establish=
and implement the 2011 Learning and Development Framework (LDF) for Eurost=
at and evaluate the 2010 LDF =E2=80=A2 Establish framework contracts =
according to 2010 call for tender on statistical training for Eurostat staf=
f for the period 2011-2014 =E2=80=A2 Manage leave/absence application=
s on a daily basis, including a help desk for staff. =E2=80=A2 Promot=
e flexible working arrangements, including flexitime and telework. =
=E2=80=A2 Provide consultancy and design and implement special learning and=
development events (away day events for bigger groups, management seminars=
, etc.) =E2=80=A2 Provide in 2011 alternative learning and developmen=
t opportunities for Eurostat staff aiming to build up a learning organisati=
on. =E2=80=A2 Identify common projects for joint learning and develop=
ment of Eurostat staff and European statisticians. =E2=80=A2 Implemen=
t forward planning actions in order to ensure the availability of staff wit=
h the right skills for recruitment in Eurostat: organise specialised tempor=
ary agent selection, contribute to the work programme of EPSO and ensure th=
e organisation of specific open competitions. =E2=80=A2 Monitor imple=
mentation of the Equal Opportunities action plan and the achievement of its=
targets, as well as the actions in the diversity domain. =E2=80=A2 D=
esign and implement further actions to improve the well-being of staff.

5.4 Management and development of human resources (=
UNECE STAT)

Activity 8.8: Human resourc=
es development in statistical offices

=20

Description and objectives

=20

Facilitate exchange of experience and development of good practices in t=
he area of human resources management and training (HRMT) in statistical of=
fices.

=20

Activities and output

=20

=E2=80=A2 Provide secretariat support to the Organising Committee on hum=
an resources management and training in statistical offices.

=20

=E2=80=A2 Follow-up on the outcome and recommendations of the workshop o=
n HRMT in Geneva in September 2010 (subject to the approval of the Bureau).=

=E2=80=A2 Collection and processing of monthly, quarterly and yearly sta=
tistical data, supplied to CIS-STAT by Commonwealth countries' national sta=
tistical services, is carried out in accordance with the coordinated schedu=
le by electronic mail over the Internet in the form of standardized questio=
nnaires incorporating 220 Excel-format tables.

=20

=E2=80=A2 Verification of the coming information including its compariso=
n on the sites of the national statistical services; collection of missing =
information from the sites of statistical services of the foreign countries=
, including the sites of international statistical organizations.

=20

New activities:

=20

In 2011 work will continue on improving the electronic exchange of stati=
stical information with national statistical services and international org=
anizations.

=E2=80=A2 Functional studies / feasibility studies for sector and horizo=
ntal projects; =E2=80=A2 Maintenance activities for existing systems;=
=E2=80=A2 Harmonisation and reengineering of existing applications;<=
br /> =E2=80=A2 Improvement and development of Generic Applications; =
=E2=80=A2 Advancement of the CVD initiative; =E2=80=A2 Dissemination =
and reference systems development; =E2=80=A2 Interfacing various vari=
ous CVD components into existing applications; =E2=80=A2 Participatio=
n in the implementation of the Communication on the production method of EU=
statistics by developing components usable by Eurostat and Member States.<=
br /> The main actions are directly linked to the Commission Communication =
on the production method of EU statistics as follows: =E2=80=A2 The C=
VD systems improvements target the data integration and data warehouses' cr=
eation permitting the creation of cross domain statistics and cost minimisa=
tion. The same reasoning applies to the reference and dissemination systems=
improvements. =E2=80=A2 The data editing and imputation facilities t=
o be deployed for the use of the ESS members reduce drastically the burden =
of the Member States and Eurostat, and at the same time increase quality th=
rough harmonisation of the procedures and use of the same metadata.

=20

1. Work to be carried out by Eurostat in 2011

=20

1.1 NEW WORK, INCLUDING NEW PLANNED LEGISLATION

=20

=E2=80=A2 Apply the CVD principles to macroeconomic statistics (inter-do=
main integration activity); =E2=80=A2 Centralisation of editing activ=
ities using a common system in Eurostat and Member States (Activity related=
to Communication on the production method of EU statistics).

Theme 6.04 IT standards, to=
ols and services for data exchange in the ESS

=20

Fields of activities covered by the theme

=20

Harmonisation through the use of common tools within the ESS, together w=
ith process harmonisation through the promotion of methodologies based on c=
ommon tools. This is required for the development of more integrated system=
s; it also allows fully exploit synergies and economies of scale. The resul=
t will be better interaction with ESS partners and better integration of ES=
S partners and Eurostat. =E2=80=A2 Optimisation of Eurostat interacti=
on with users and partners in the area of data and metadata transfer by the=
means of: - Cooperation with international institutions (UN, OECD, I=
MF, WB and others) on the Statistical Data and Metadata eXchange (SDMX) sta=
ndard. - Developing common tools for efficient and secure excha=
nge of statistical data and metadata in the European Statistical System in =
cooperation with other relevant Commission services, the European System of=
Central Banks and international organisations. This includes metadata stan=
dards. - Data collection tools and methods and standardisation for Eu=
ropean Statistical System raw data collections. - Data collection too=
ls and methods and standardisation for Eurostat data collection from Europe=
an Statistical System. Better integration of the statistical work don=
e in the ESS with the one done in Eurostat in order to improve efficiency a=
nd quality (comparability and timeliness) and to reduce costs by the means =
of standardisation. Standardisation of methods and IT-tools is one of the c=
ornerstones of the efficiency vision contained in Commission Communication =
on the production method of EU statistics. - Developing and sponsorin=
g development of a common IT infrastructure, the creation of a shared produ=
ction and or dissemination environment within ESS, e.g., hub architecture.<=
br /> - Exchange of common IT tools, mostly open source, e.g., SDMX tools.<=
br /> - Providing standard (web) services available on Internet for Statist=
ical production process components. - Standards and IT software for E=
urostat data collection from European Statistical System - Developmen=
t of standard tools for raw data collections within ESS. - Re-enginee=
ring of the current production processes under way: this concerns the ratio=
nalisation of the IT architecture via the Data Life Cycle (CVD) project, th=
e introduction of a more interactive production chain on the basis of a &qu=
ot;data at the source" solution via the Census hub project, and the re=
-engineering of raw data collection of business and trade statistics via th=
e MEETS programme.

=20

1. Work to be carried out by Eurostat in 2011

=20

1.1 NEW WORK, INCLUDING NEW PLANNED LEGISLATION

=20

=E2=80=A2 Exploit XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language) and othe=
r technologies in national reporting standard frameworks for business stati=
stics (actions within the MEETS programme, following up the XBRL Pilot Proj=
ect).

=20

1.2 ONGOING WORK

=20

=E2=80=A2 Use the standard software: Single Entry Point for all regular =
data and metadata transmissions from Member States, based on standardised f=
ormats (GESMES - General Statistical MESsage, SDMX) where appropriate; =E2=80=A2 Maintain and improve the IT applications used for the Single En=
try Point; =E2=80=A2 Implement the SDMX (Statistical Data and Metadat=
a Exchange) standards and guidelines for data and metadata exchange, sharin=
g and dissemination between the ESS members; =E2=80=A2 Develop IT inf=
rastructure for SDMX implementation allowing the sharing of common IT tools=
and easier data exchange; =E2=80=A2 Implement a single IT environmen=
t and services for structural and reference metadata allowing standard acce=
ss for ESS partner s and within Eurostat; =E2=80=A2 Develop the Censu=
s Hub to support the transmission and dissemination of statistics from the =
2011 census round; =E2=80=A2 Provide open-source software for statist=
ics - developed tools to be in the form of open software to allow easier sh=
aring; =E2=80=A2 Support exchange of information among Member States =
on raw data collection technologies and best practices. Foster standards de=
velopment; =E2=80=A2 Support the Eurostat CIRCA site, including the i=
ntroduction of the new version - CIRCABC.

=20

1.3 ACTIONS LEADING TO THE REDUCTION OF RESPONSE BURDEN AND =
THE SIMPLIFICATION OF STATISTICAL PROCESSES

=20

=E2=80=A2 Exploit XBRL and other technologies in national reporting fram=
eworks for business statistics; =E2=80=A2 Data-sharing using SDMX sta=
ndards, guidelines and architecture; =E2=80=A2 Exchange of informatio=
n among Member States on raw data collection technologies and best practice=
s, and shared development of software according to the common reference arc=
hitecture for the ESS.

=20

Theme 6.10 Statistical rese=
arch and methodology

=20

Fields of activities covered by the theme

=20

=E2=80=A2 Statistical process architecture and integration. =E2=80=
=A2 Statistical research and methodological innovation. =E2=80=A2 Sta=
ndardisation and knowledge management. =E2=80=A2 Core methodologies: =
data integration, data analysis, time series processing and seasonal adjust=
ment, data collection design, data validation and model based estimation, E=
U approaches. =E2=80=A2 Methodological support, advice, guidance and =
assessment. =E2=80=A2 Methodological cooperation in the ESS and with =
universities. =E2=80=A2 Training and methodological competence manage=
ment. This work contributes substantially to the improvement of the p=
roduction method of EU statistics as laid down in the Commission Communicat=
ion on the production method of EU statistics through. =E2=80=A2 The =
conceptual analysis of most relevant cross-cutting issues tracking efficien=
cy gains with the identification of commonalities in different related proc=
esses, the identification of generic specification for common process steps=
and the development of associated guidelines and tools. =E2=80=A2 Th=
e improvement of vertical integration of processes by launching with Member=
States collaborative projects aiming at designing global ESS process, stre=
amline their implementation by the identification and documentation of good=
practices following the Generic Statistical Business Process Model. =
=E2=80=A2 The development and implement a multi dimensional programme of re=
search and innovation through the elaboration of a research programme for O=
fficial Statistics to be included in FP8; the intensification the link with=
research community; the setting up transfer mechanism involving Member Sta=
tes (ESSnets);the launching specific ESSnets and research projects under th=
e umbrella of the ESS Directors of Methodology (DIME) and the Network of Me=
thodologists in Eurostat. =E2=80=A2 The improvement of the methodolog=
ical competences with the development of Master of Science in Official Stat=
istics with universities and a strategic reflection on the mechanism for th=
eir management. =E2=80=A2 To the optimisation of interaction with par=
tners with the emergence and fast consolidation of methodology for collabor=
ation building upon virtual platforms (web 2.0) to support cooperative proj=
ects and to reinforce cooperation among ESS partners and with academia.

=
=20

1. Work to be carried out by Eurostat in 2011

=20

1.1 NEW WORK, INCLUDING NEW PLANNED LEGISLATION

=20

=E2=80=A2 Set up an ESS governance structure for the integration of ESS =
statistical production processes; =E2=80=A2 Improve research on offic=
ial statistics in collaboration with Member States; =E2=80=A2 ESSnets=
on cooperative methodological developments.

=20

1.2 ONGOING WORK

=20

=E2=80=A2 Provide guidance and support for and assess methodological dev=
elopments for ESTAT reengineering production system; =E2=80=A2 Genera=
te and organise knowledge in key methodological issues for an integrated ar=
chitecture for the production of official statistics: new modes of data col=
lection, data analysis, data validation, survey methodology and sampling, d=
ata integration, model based estimation; =E2=80=A2 Explore, set up an=
d maintain new modes and tools of collaboration for the community of ESS Me=
thodologists, Researchers (CROS - Cooperation between Researchers and Offic=
ial Statisticians) and Partners (Joint Research Centre, etc); =E2=80=
=A2 Identify priorities for research, methodological developments and innov=
ation analysing main challenges for future statistics in a global, competit=
ive, technology driven information world, with a particular focuses on chal=
lenges raised by the integration of production processes in the ESS; =
=E2=80=A2 Contribute to the emergence, optimisation and standardisation of =
integrated ESS processes and harmonised methodologies; =E2=80=A2 Faci=
litate and promote innovation in the ESS through a streamline infrastructur=
e for ESSnet projects; =E2=80=A2 Development and maintain ESS standar=
d tool for seasonal adjustment (SA) and related time series processing for =
official statistics; =E2=80=A2 Monitor and support the implementation=
of ESS guidelines on seasonal adjustment and best practices for time serie=
s processing in coordination with the Steering Group on SA, high level grou=
p bringing together ESCB and ESS bodies; =E2=80=A2 EMOS (European Mas=
ters in Official Statistics) and methodological competence management.

=20

Theme 7.01 Management of IT=
infrastructure

=20

Fields of activities covered by the theme

=20

=E2=80=A2 IT user support; =E2=80=A2 Local IT systems Administrati=
on; =E2=80=A2 Development and maintenance of administrative IT applic=
ations; =E2=80=A2 IT governance; =E2=80=A2 Relations and cooper=
ation with DIGIT.

=20

The action 207 (Ensure evolutive maintenance of programming and reportin=
g system) will be an important contribution to the activity of the Eurostat=
's project of the Management of the Commission Communication on the product=
ion method of EU statistics "Make priority setting system linked to th=
e resource allocation". The same holds for 210 (Enhance IT governance)=
as far as IT architecture is concerned. The action 101 (Creation of =
a shared secure environment) gives added value to the potential users of co=
nfidential data. In the mid term the creation of the shared secure environm=
ent is an important step to a distributed IT environment, one aim of the ac=
tivity of Eurostat's project of the Management of the Commission Communicat=
ion on the production method of EU statistics "Improve vertical integr=
ation".

=E2=80=A2 An important effort will be made to collect and disseminate ne=
w statistics and indicators, for short term and also annual data.

=20

=E2=80=A2 As regards data collection, electronic questionnaires will be =
relied upon to a greater extent to collect data on new as well as more trad=
itional indicators. Data received through electronic questionnaires will be=
automatically uploaded into the database for prompt dissemination. We will=
also continue to explore the possibilities of joint data collection with o=
ther international agencies (Eurostat, OECD and others), in order to allevi=
ate the reporting burden on countries by similar international questionnair=
es. The possibility of exchanging data with EUROSTAT and OECD through SDMX =
will also be tested.

=20

=E2=80=A2 The day to day operations and use of the database will be revi=
ewed and modernized using a web-based version of the software used.

=20

=E2=80=A2 In the near future, all the databases operated by the Departme=
nt of STATISTICS will be restructured, coding systems will be revised, and =
the new databases will be migrated to a relational database management envi=
ronment using Oracle.

=20

All the satellite applications related to the preparation and production=
of the new programme of data collection, management and dissemination will=
also be migrated from a SAS (Statistical Analysis Software) environment to=
the new Oracle environment, and the use of the SAS software will be limite=
d to the processing of data for the purpose of statistical analysis.

To increase the relevance, efficiency and effectiveness of local economi=
c and employment development policies by supporting the use of appropriate =
evidence on policy needs and impacts in the design and implementation of lo=
cal strategies

=20

Objectives and outputs

=20

Main issues to be addressed

=20

1. Obtaining, processing and utilising information from diverse sources =
on local economic and employment performance, their drivers and enablers an=
d the problems faced.

=20

2. How to undertake sound local evaluation of the impact of existing pol=
icies and feed the results back into strategy development.

=20

3. Setting up local evaluation frameworks and developing organisational =
capacity for the evaluation of strategic planning and delivery.

=20

4. Creating local dashboards of economic and employment development indi=
cators that may be baseline-tracked against targets and milestones and benc=
hmarked over time and with other localities to better understand policy nee=
ds and impacts.

=20

Methods:

=20

Assessments will be undertaken in case study countries of the appropriat=
eness of local information and evaluation systems for meeting the challenge=
s of local strategy design and delivery. The assessments will include the d=
egree to which the performance, needs and evaluation indicators used fit wi=
th those required to assess the local development model in place, the robus=
tness and reach of the information sources and collection methods, and the =
systems for management and utilisation of the local development and evaluat=
ion information. Guidance will be provided on how to apply international go=
od practice evaluation and strategy-making principles to strengthen informa=
tion and evaluation systems at the local level, responding to the areas for=
improvement identified in the case studies. Recommendations will be made f=
or the development of local dashboards of comparable local economic and emp=
loyment development indicators.

=20

Output:

=20

Practical reports and action plans on developing information and evaluat=
ion systems for evidence-based strategy tailored to the needs of countries =
and localities. The process will also generate valuable learning for partic=
ipating organisations, create new knowledge drawing on international practi=
ces, improve staff skills, create new relationships and networks and enhanc=
e evidence-based strategy development processes.

=E2=80=A2 Collaborates with IMF, Eurostat, BIS, OECD and World Bank on t=
he development of XML data and metadata exchange standards ; =E2=80=
=A2 UNSD has fully developed data structure for MDG Indicators, now being u=
sed for data and metadata exchange among some of the agencies involved in t=
he MDG monitoring. Training is also being provided to some groups of countr=
ies who have expressed the interest in adopting the platform for MDG data e=
xchange.

Maintain and develop the necessary database infrastructure to support th=
e processing and dissemination of statistical data. Coordinate UNECE data p=
roduction regarding the consistency of statistical data and terminology, an=
d the use of data collection, storage and dissemination methods.

=20

Activities and output

=20

=E2=80=A2 Ensure a database system to meet the needs of users, allowing =
the collection, processing and dissemination of UNECE statistical data (Sta=
tistical Division, Transport Division, Trade and Timber Division). =
=E2=80=A2 Implement the relevant parts of the UNECE data quality improvemen=
t plan. =E2=80=A2 Improve data quality, consistency of time series an=
d consistency across different databases. =E2=80=A2 Provide an infras=
tructure for free of charge Internet dissemination of UNECE statistical dat=
a, in English and Russian, to all interested users.

=20

Activity 8.1: Strategic Dev=
elopments in Business Architecture in Statistics

=20

Description and objectives

=20

Contribute to the work of the High Level Group for Strategic Development=
s in Business Architecture in Statistics (HLG-BAS) to oversee and guide dis=
cussions on developments in the business architecture of the statistical pr=
oduction process, including methodological and information technology aspec=
ts. The HLG-BAS oversees the work of other UNECE groups like the SAB, METIS=
and MSIS and also the work of similar Eurostat and OECD groups. It reports=
to the CES Bureau on the progress and direction of the work of these group=
s.

=20

Activities and output

=20

=E2=80=A2 Provide secretariat support to the HLG-BAS; =E2=80=A2 As=
sist in preparing the annual report of the HLG-BAS to the CES Bureau;=
=E2=80=A2 Record the decisions of the HLG-BAS and ensure these are effecti=
vely communicated; =E2=80=A2 Collaborate with other bodies involved i=
n international work on statistical business architectures for example the =
European Statistics Directors of Methodology and the expert group on Statis=
tical Data and Metadata Exchange.

=20

Organizations and groups involved

=20

CES High-level Group for Strategic Developments in Business Architecture=
in Statistics Eurostat OECD

=20

Activity 8.2: Management of=
statistical information systems

=20

Description and objectives

=20

Coordinate the work on the Management of Statistical Information Systems=
(MSIS) and the Sharing Advisory Board (SAB) to: i) provide a forum fo=
r exchange of experiences; ii) make recommendations on the coordination of =
the activities of different international organizations in this area; iii) =
collect, discuss and make available good practices; iv) facilitate and enco=
urage implementation of standards and recommendations in the field of stati=
stical data processing in the UNECE region.

=20

Activities and output

=20

=E2=80=A2 Support the improvement of statistical information systems in =
national and international statistical organizations. =E2=80=A2 Impro=
ve harmonisation of data models, concepts, etc. in the field of statistical=
information processing. =E2=80=A2 Provide a platform for knowledge s=
haring among statistical organisations in this area. =E2=80=A2 Provid=
e technological and organizational frameworks to facilitate sharing of stat=
istical software, modules and solutions. =E2=80=A2 Prepare recommenda=
tions for the governance and practice of sharing statistical software. =E2=80=A2 Standardize electronic data interchange, in particular, develop=
and promote the Statistical Data and Metadata eXchange (SDMX) content orie=
nted guidelines and other SDMX standards in cooperation with other internat=
ional organizations. =E2=80=A2 Organise the Meeting on Management of =
Statistical Information Systems (MSIS May 2011).

=E2=80=A2 Advocate for statistical metadata issues and the role of metad=
ata in the management of statistical processes. =E2=80=A2 Further dev=
elop and improve the Common Metadata Framework (CMF) as a guide for statist=
ical organisations to existing metadata standards, in cooperation with the =
METIS Steering Group. =E2=80=A2 Add more case studies on the implemen=
tation of metadata systems in statistical organizations (Part D "Imple=
mentation"). =E2=80=A2 Provide secretariat support to the CES St=
eering Group on Statistical Metadata. =E2=80=A2 Organise a Workshop o=
n Statistical Metadata in autumn 2011. =E2=80=A2 Cooperate actively w=
ith other organizations on the standardisation of electronic data interchan=
ge, including the SDMX content oriented guidelines and other SDMX standards=
. =E2=80=A2 Lead, together with UN Statistical Division, internationa=
l work to develop a global inventory of statistical standards.

=E2=80=A2 The World Bank gathers macroeconomic data and projections at l=
east once a year from its country teams in a process known as the Unified S=
urvey. These data and projections are used for planning and evaluating Bank=
operations. They underlie work on creditworthiness and risk assessment and=
they are an important part of the Bank's external publications such as the=
World Development Indicators, the country and regional At-a-Glance tables,=
and Global Development Finance. These data are collected in a standardized=
way using the World Bank's country database system known as the Live Datab=
ase (LDB). The LDB is an Excel based system which standardizes the manageme=
nt of macroeconomic information by organizing information into separate she=
ets by topic and utilizing indicator codes, common layouts, and a variety o=
f formatting, calculation, and reporting tools.

=20

=E2=80=A2 The Development Data Platform (DDP), a web-based statistical d=
ata collection and dissemination system has integrated and streamlined time=
-series data management operations at the Bank, and has established a compr=
ehensive platform to support the statistical data collection and disseminat=
ion functions of the Bank. Also, the software can be provided to countries =
to further the goal of statistical capacity building in these countries. Th=
e software developed in this project may be installed in these countries.=
p>=20

=E2=80=A2 The system has also incorporated micro data from household sur=
veys allowing cross-country comparisons on key indicators by welfare status=
.

=20

=E2=80=A2 A new web-based system, Data Platform (dp), is part of the DDP=
suite of products developed to help clients and partners to manage and dis=
seminate their data based on their preferences and needs. It provides a fra=
mework for the use and management of quantitative data and their metadata. =
The system is especially useful for any organization with a need to publish=
statistical data on the web.

=20

SDMX

=20

=E2=80=A2 The BIS, ECB, EUROSTAT, IMF, OECD, UN, and the World Bank have=
set up a partnership to focus on establishing web-based standards for more=
efficient exchange and sharing of statistical information and metadata, wh=
ich is called SDMX. As part of this effort, the Bank is involved in a Pilot=
Project in rebuilding the Joint External Debt Statistics through SDMX stan=
dards (see http://=
www.jedh.org/ ). These statistics are a product of the Inter-Agency Tas=
k Force on Finance Statistics. They bring together data that are currently =
compiled and published separately by the contributing international agencie=
s on components of countries' external debt and international reserve asset=
s. This should facilitate timely and frequent access by a broad range of us=
ers to a single data set. These data are mostly from creditor and market so=
urces, but also include information provided by the debtor countries to the=
Quarterly External Debt Statistics (QEDS) of the World Bank. The goal is t=
o explore common e-standards and ongoing standardization activities that co=
uld allow us to gain efficiency and avoid duplication of effort in our own =
work and possibly for the work of others in the field of statistical inform=
ation. We intend to do this by taking advantage of existing and emerging: - Exchange protocols, such as GESMES/CB which was implemented by centr=
al banks for exchanging time series; - E-standards, such as Extensibl=
e Markup Language (XML).

5.6 Co-ordination of international statistical work=
(CIS-STAT)

Rest of the World-CIS Coord=
ination

=20

=E2=80=A2 Coordinating statistical work and aligning and harmonizing sta=
tistical tools with international standards in the areas of the System of N=
ational Accounts and economic, demographic and social statistics, and impro=
ving methods of processing information from Commonwealth member States.

=
=20

Materials in preparation are discussed by the CIS-STAT Scientific Counci=
l, task forces and ad hoc meetings. The most important are discussed by the=
Council of Heads of Statistical Services of the CIS. Once finalized, they =
are circulated as recommendations to national statistical services.

5.6 Co-ordination of international statistical work=
(Eurostat)

=E2=80=A2 Providing technical (statistical) advice to the EU's external =
action service (EAS), including EU Delegations in the European Neighbourhoo=
d Policy (ENP) countries; =E2=80=A2 Coordinating EU efforts to build =
statistical capacity within the framework of the MEDSTAT programme of stati=
stical cooperation in the Mediterranean region, and ENP financing instrumen=
t (ENPI); =E2=80=A2 Assisting the Southern ENP countries in implement=
ing their regional strategy for statistics; =E2=80=A2 Assisting the E=
NP countries to gradually align their statistical systems with that of the =
EU; =E2=80=A2 Encouraging the application of best practices from the =
European Statistical System to be applied in ENP countries through mutual c=
ontacts, training, study visits, workshops, seminars, and attendance at mee=
tings; =E2=80=A2 Collecting and publishing a range of data from the E=
NP countries, as an input to the Commission assessment of progress in the c=
ountries, and to maintain momentum for harmonisation of data for the region=

=20

1. Work to be carried out by Eurostat in 2011

=20

1.1 NEW WORK, INCLUDING NEW PLANNED LEGISLATION

=20

=E2=80=A2 Assist EuropeAid in monitoring the implementation of the new p=
roject on Energy Statistics in the ENP-East and Central Asian countries.

=20

1.2 ONGOING WORK

=20

=E2=80=A2 Work closely with the EuropeAid, the External Action Service, =
and beneficiaries on the implementation of funding mechanisms for technical=
assistance (e.g. ENPI); =E2=80=A2 Assist ENP countries in the develo=
pment and review of their national action plans; =E2=80=A2 Monitor th=
e progress achieved by ENP countries regarding the adoption of EU statistic=
al methods, classifications and standards; =E2=80=A2 Collect and publ=
ish statistics on ENP countries; =E2=80=A2 Assist EuropeAid in monito=
ring the implementation of the MEDSTAT III programme; =E2=80=A2 Organ=
ise international events covering statistical cooperation (relevant to seni=
or managers in national statistical offices) and specific technical themes =
(relevant to subject matter experts in national statistical offices);=
=E2=80=A2 Promote EU statistical standards, classifications and methodolog=
ies through the provision of reference material in relevant languages.

=
=20

2. Statistical work to be carried out by other DGs (including da=
ta collection from Member States) and/or EU agencies

=20

2.2 ONGOING WORK

=20

=E2=80=A2 In 2010 the European Environment Agency was contracted by DG E=
uropeAid to take the first steps towards a Shared Environmental Information=
System for the ENP region. This contract included a requirement to assist =
the ENP countries in capacity building for environment statistics. Eurostat=
's involvement is linked to promoting the project and its institutional bui=
lding component in the ENP countries as well as to monitoring and follow-up=
.

=
p>=20

Theme 6.09 International st=
atistical cooperation

=20

Fields of activities covered by the theme

=20

=E2=80=A2 Providing advice and expertise to Commission services (in part=
icular the External Relations Directorates-General, and the delegations) an=
d national statistical authorities with respect to European Commission deve=
lopment and cooperation policies (identification, planning, implementation =
and evaluation of statistical projects or the statistical elements of more =
wide-ranging development projects) and coordinating Eurostat units' contrib=
ution to this work; =E2=80=A2 Assisting the European Commission in re=
lations with international organisations and in matters of common statistic=
al interest with non-European regions or countries; =E2=80=A2 Advocat=
ing and promoting good governance through statistics in the EU's external r=
elations policy; =E2=80=A2 Monitoring and coordinating EU efforts to =
build statistical capacity in countries outside Europe within the framework=
of international commitments such as the Millennium Development Goals (MDG=
s); =E2=80=A2 Encouraging the application of ESS best practice in non=
-EU countries through mutual contacts, training, study visits and attendanc=
e at meetings; =E2=80=A2 Collecting data on non-EU countries obtained=
from all available sources for use by Commission services in pursuit of th=
eir external relations policies and, subject to agreement with data supplie=
rs, the wider community of users; =E2=80=A2 Ensuring that stakeholder=
s are kept adequately informed through efficient communication; =E2=
=80=A2 Representing Eurostat in international organisations; =E2=80=
=A2 Coordinating Eurostat's relations with Higher Income Countries (HIC) an=
d Russia, in particular implementing the EEA agreement in the field of stat=
istics and the agreement with Switzerland on cooperation in the field of st=
atistics.

=20

1. Work to be carried out by Eurostat in 2011

=20

1.1 NEW WORK, INCLUDING NEW PLANNED LEGISLATION

=20

=E2=80=A2 Add elements of the "Eurostat vision" to the existin=
g activities conc. non-European countries. Incorporate new production metho=
d (Eurostat "vision") and "GDP and beyond" elements in =
the encouragement of best practices in non EU countries. Learn from best pr=
actices from countries and organisation outside the EU (e.g. Canada, USA, O=
ECD, etc.). Ensure outreach of "Eurostat vision" to higher income=
countries and international organisations (including mutual information). =
Strengthen links between OECD Global Project on Measuring the Progress of S=
ocieties and the "GDP and beyond". =E2=80=A2 Take a more pr=
oactive stance with respect to international relations following the coming=
into force of the Lisbon Treaty.

=20

1.2 ONGOING WORK

=20

=E2=80=A2 Provide advisory service for other Commission services (extern=
al relations family, including delegations) and beneficiaries on cooperatio=
n programmes with ACP (African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States), ALA=
(Asia and Latin America), Central Asia aiming at building statistical capa=
city and gradual harmonisation of the statistical systems with internationa=
l methods, standards and classifications. =E2=80=A2 Make an effective=
contribution to advocacy for statistics and international coordination of =
statistical cooperation activities and the implementation of the Marrakech =
Action Plan for Statistics and the Dakar Declaration on the Development of =
Statistics through active participation within Paris21 and other internatio=
nal fora. =E2=80=A2 Develop and improve thematic areas of internation=
al statistical cooperation (guide to international statistical cooperation,=
MDG/development indicators work, statistical training, etc.): growth and e=
mployment will be considered as area of special attention. =E2=80=A2 =
Continue transfer of know-how regarding statistical tools (ERETES, Eurotrac=
e) to subregional organisations and user groups. =E2=80=A2 Provide up=
dated non-EU country statistics and improve information services on interna=
tional statistical cooperation (publications, Eurostat's web site, knowledg=
e base). Continue the development of a knowledge base of the current state =
of play for all regions covered by the unit's responsibility showing the le=
vel of statistical capacity in the countries in those regions and European =
Commission aid provided/planned in the field of statistics. =E2=80=A2=
Implement the action plan for raising the profile of the Commission and th=
e ESS in international statistical fora through the effective participation=
in major international meetings. =E2=80=A2 Co-ordinate effectively r=
elations with Higher Income Countries, including EFTA countries, USA, Canad=
a, Russia etc. =E2=80=A2 Coordinate statistical cooperation activitie=
s at EU level. =E2=80=A2 Maintain constant contacts, to exchange info=
rmation and to participate in main meetings of international, regional and =
sub-regional organisations. =E2=80=A2 Provide advice to Eurostat and =
ESS services on their relations with international organisations and countr=
ies outside Europe.

=20

1.3 ACTIONS LEADING TO THE REDUCTION OF RESPONSE BURDEN AND =
THE SIMPLIFICATION OF STATISTICAL PROCESSES

=20

=E2=80=A2 International Relations Working Group; =E2=80=A2 A knowl=
edge base on the statistical development of non-EU countries (DISC) and Par=
tners' Report on Support for Statistics (PRESS).

=20

Theme 8.05 Relations with t=
he ESS, inter-institutional and international relations

=
=20

Fields of activities covered by the theme

=20

=E2=80=A2 Governance of the European Statistical System (ESS), through t=
he management of the committees that form the core of the cooperation withi=
n the European Statistical System, in particular the European Statistical S=
ystem Committee, the highest-level committee within the ESS representing th=
e producers of European statistics, the European Statistical Advisory Commi=
ttee (ESAC), providing a stakeholder perspective (users, respondents and pr=
oducers) on the relevance and priorities of EU statistics as well as the as=
sociated costs and resources, and the European Statistical Governance Advis=
ory Board (ESGAB), whose role is to provide an independent overview of the =
ESS as regards the implementation of the European Statistics Code of Practi=
ce. =E2=80=A2 Ensuring efficient co-operation with the Council, the E=
uropean Parliament, the European System of Central Banks, the EESC (Europea=
n Economic and Social Committee) and the CoR (Committee of the Regions) wit=
h regard to the statistical legislative production.

=20

1. Work to be carried out by Eurostat in 2011

=20

1.2 ONGOING WORK

=20

=E2=80=A2 Provide the Secretariat for the ESSC; =E2=80=A2 Organise=
the DGINS Conference; =E2=80=A2 Provide the Secretariat for the ESAC=
; =E2=80=A2 Provide the Secretariat for the ESGAB; =E2=80=A2 Pa=
rticipation and contribution to EP Committees discussing statistical legisl=
ative proposals; =E2=80=A2 Coordination with Council Presidencies; =E2=80=A2 Follow-up of Statis working group in the Council; =E2=
=80=A2 Advice and follow-up of legislation; =E2=80=A2 Cooperation wit=
h the ESCB.

5.6 Co-ordination of international statistical work=
(FAO)

Coordination of Internation=
al Statistical Work

=20

=E2=80=A2 FAO is actively involved in the Wye City Group on Statistics o=
n Rural Development and Agriculture Household Income. =E2=80=A2 FAO l=
eads the Coordinating Working Party on Fishery Statistics (CWP) to identify=
the statistical needs and develop standard concepts, definitions, classifi=
cations and methodologies of the collection and collation of fishery and aq=
uaculture statistics. =E2=80=A2 FAO leads the Inter-secretarial Worki=
ng Group on Forest Sector Statistics (IWG).

=20

Meetings in 2011:

=20

=E2=80=A2 The Inter-sessional Fishery Group meeting of Coordinating Work=
ing Party on Fishery Statistics (CWP): July 2011, La Jolla, USA.

=E2=80=A2 UNSD is facilitating the work of so-called 'city groups', in o=
rder to address issues identified by the Statistical Commission as critical=
problems. UNSD will continue to encourage countries to actively participat=
e in the discussions of the various groups. It will also disseminate inform=
ation on the groups and their activities widely. Detailed information on th=
e groups and their activities is available at UN Web page. See also: http://unstats.un.org/unsd/methods/citygroup/index.htm

5.6 Co-ordination of international statistical work=
(UNECE STAT)

Maintain an online database providing information on statistical work of=
about 30 international organizations. The Database of International Statis=
tical Activities (DISA) is an important tool to assist the Bureau of the Co=
nference of European Statisticians (CES) in fulfilling its primary role - t=
o coordinate the statistical work undertaken by the various international o=
rganizations in the UNECE region.

=20

Activities and output

=20

=E2=80=A2 Prepare and publish the 2011 issue of the database.

=20

=E2=80=A2 Start the preparations for the 2012 issue of the database.

=
=20

=E2=80=A2 Provide input to the in-depth reviews of the CES Bureau in spe=
cific statistical areas where significant developments have taken place, co=
ordinated action is needed or there is a lack of activities at the internat=
ional level.

=20

=E2=80=A2 Monitor the use of the database and ask for feedback in order =
to improve presentation and functionality of the database.

Activity 1.2: Secretariat s=
upport for the work of the CES and its Bureau

=20

Description and objectives

=20

Provide secretariat support for the work of the Conference of European S=
tatisticians (CES), the Sectoral Committee of the UNECE Statistical Divisio=
n and its Bureau that steers the work of the Conference. The CES coordinate=
s the statistical activities of the three main international organizations =
working in the UNECE region, Eurostat, OECD and UNECE, as well as the stati=
stical activities of other organizations, such as CIS-STAT, UNSD, IMF, ILO,=
WHO and the World Bank. The CES provides a forum for Heads of national and=
international statistical agencies to address issues of current interest, =
discuss the region's common statistical problems, exchange experience, and =
formulate common solutions and recommendations.

=20

Activities and output

=20

=E2=80=A2 Organize and service the CES Bureau meetings (February 2011 (a=
short meeting during the UNSC session), June 2011, and October/November 20=
11).

=20

=E2=80=A2 Organize and service the annual plenary session of the CES (Ge=
neva, the week of 13-17 June 2011), which includes three modules: a session=
on formal business and two seminar sessions.

=20

=E2=80=A2 Provide secretariat support in the preparation of the CES semi=
nars on "Organization of data collection and data sharing / implementa=
tion of the standard for Statistical Data and Metadata Exchange (SDMX): man=
agement challenges from the national perspective" and "Measuring =
human capital" during the CES 2011 plenary session.

=20

=E2=80=A2 Coordinate the implementation of follow-up activities of the C=
ES 2010 and 2011 plenary sessions.

=20

=E2=80=A2 Prepare the UNECE Statistical Programme 2012.

=20

=E2=80=A2 Report on the work of the CES to the EXCOM.

=20

=E2=80=A2 Coordinate the Teams of Specialists that work under the auspic=
es of the CES in various statistical areas and report on their activities t=
o the Conference and its Bureau.

5.6 Coordination of international statistical work =
(OECD)

Co-ordination of OECD Stati=
stical Activities

=20

Purpose

=20

To co-ordinate OECD statistical programmes with Eurostat, ECE, IMF, UN a=
nd other organisations with respect to both data collection and the develop=
ment of international statistical standards.

=20

To increase the visibility of statistical activities carried out by the =
OECD and to co-ordinate internal OECD statistical activities to improve the=
quality of statistics and the efficiency of the OECD statistical organisat=
ion.

=20

Objectives and outputs

=20

Collaborate with other Directorates of the Organisation, with national d=
ata providers and with other international organisations to: reinforce the =
quality of OECD statistical data and the efficiency of statistical activiti=
es across the Organisation; improve data collection and data provision on m=
ember countries, increase the visibility of OECD statistical work; and cont=
ribute to the development of the international statistical system.

=20

Co-ordinate the preparation and publishing of the annual OECD statistica=
l programme of work and the new Brochure on OECD Statistics.

=20

Improvement in the consistency of data collected and disseminated by the=
OECD through the development of the OECD statistical information system an=
d co-ordination of the migration of existing statistical activities towards=
the new statistical information system. Provide linkages with similar faci=
lities in other international organisations and national agencies.

=20

Further improve relationships with national statistical activities and i=
mprove international co-operation between OECD member countries and several=
non-member countries in the area of statistics through the OECD Committee =
on Statistics, composed of Heads of National Statistical Agencies.

=20

Non-member countries involved in the activity:

=20

Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Russian Federation, South Africa

=20

Databases

=20

OECD statistical programme of work

=20

Main Developments for 2011

=20

General aspects:

=20

Following completion of accession activities for four countries in 2009-=
2010, 2011 will see continuation of the accession activities with Russia. I=
n addition, coordination with enhanced engagement countries will be signifi=
cantly reinforced. Finally, efforts will be made to improve collaboration a=
nd advice on statistical activities with OECD policy committees via the Com=
mittee on Statistics.

5.7 Technical cooperation and capacity building pro=
grammes (EFTA)

Technical cooperation

=20

EFTA technical cooperation programmes and activities are governed by a M=
emorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the EFTA Secretariat and Eurostat.=
The MoU's overall objective is to avoid gaps or overlapping in technical a=
ssistance toward countries where the European Union is also active, through=
direct involvement of the four EFTA States in statistical programmes run b=
y the European Commission. EFTA's involvement in technical cooperation prog=
rammes under the MoU gives priority to countries that have concluded declar=
ations on cooperation or free trade agreements with EFTA. In 2011, support =
will be mainly granted to economies in transition in Eastern Europe, Caucas=
us and Central Asia (EECCA), Western Balkans and Mediterranean regions (Med=
stat). EFTA cooperation will give priority to global assessments of nationa=
l statistical systems in light of the European Statistics Code of Practice =
as well as seminars and study visit on socio-economic statistics, applied s=
tatistical methods and management of technical assistance in statistics.

=E2=80=A2 Preparation of candidate and potential candidate countries for=
EU membership by aligning their methodologies and practices with the stati=
stical acquis and integrating them into the European Statistical System. =E2=80=A2 Inputs to meetings under the structures of the Stabilisation =
and Association Agreements and inputs to the Commission's annual progress r=
eports and its opinions on countries' applications for EU membership.=
=E2=80=A2 Provision of harmonised statistics covering the candidate and po=
tential candidate countries. =E2=80=A2 Accession negotiations regardi=
ng the statistics chapter and the statistics component of other chapters. =E2=80=A2 Assistance to the candidate and potential candidate countrie=
s involving the entire cycle for assistance programmes with programming, te=
ndering, implementation and evaluation under the Instrument for Pre-Accessi=
on (IPA) =E2=80=A2 Complete the management of assistance to Member St=
ates that jointed in 2007 (Phare/Multi-Beneficiary Statistical Cooperation =
programmes).

=E2=80=A2 Implement the ongoing technical assistance programmes for the =
candidate and potential candidate countries (IPA 2008 and IPA 2009 programm=
es); =E2=80=A2 Complete implementation and close the files relating t=
o the technical assistance programmes MBP 2005 and MBP 2006; =E2=80=
=A2 Contribute to the accession negotiations and the structures set up unde=
r the Stabilisation and Association Agreements; =E2=80=A2 Contribute =
to the Commission opinions and reports and to the monitoring procedures on =
the compliance of candidate and potential candidate countries with the stat=
istical acquis; =E2=80=A2 Support implementation of national cooperat=
ion programmes in the candidate and potential candidate countries; =
=E2=80=A2 Conduct full assessments of the statistical systems of candidate =
and potential candidate countries.

5.7 Technical cooperation and capacity building pro=
grammes (FAO)

Technical Assistance

=20

=E2=80=A2 Technical assistance will be provided through FAO's Technical =
Cooperation projects as well as through other external funded projects.

5.7 Technical cooperation and capacity building pro=
grammes (ILO)

Technical Assistance

=20

=E2=80=A2 The statistical capabilities of ILO constituents vary, and a c=
onsiderable upgrading of capacity is needed in many areas. The ILO provides=
technical support for labour statistics to member States in the form of te=
chnical advice and assistance, training, manuals, and technical cooperation=
projects. This assistance is provided under the auspices of the ILO's Dece=
nt Work Country Programmes. It is demand-driven, depending on the availabil=
ity of resources. Requests for assistance may derive from the application o=
f the Labour Statistics Convention 1985 (160).

=20

=E2=80=A2 Technical assistance is served from the ILO Offices in Budapes=
t, Moscow and, in the case of Mongolia, Bangkok, and by national correspond=
ents, and in Latin America, from the ILO Office in Santiago and SIALC-Panam=
a, as well as from ILO headquarters in Geneva.

=20

Training Programme of the I=
LO Department of Statistics

=20

=E2=80=A2 In 2011, the ILO Department of Statistics' training programme =
will fully support its new and strengthened mandate and will focus, therefo=
re, on two major training areas: a) to meet the needs of ILO constitu=
ents to increase their capacity to produce reliable statistics for the best=
use in effective decision-making, to achieve decent work for all and; b) to enhance ILO staff knowledge and use of modern statistical methods r=
egarding data collection and analysis so as to optimize their service to me=
mber States, to assist them to meet their goals of Decent Work for all.

=
=20

=E2=80=A2 Training and technical assistance will continue to be provided=
on Designing labour force surveys and labour force modules for household s=
urveys to measure decent work, and on Analysing survey data to monitor labo=
ur market conditions and progress towards decent work, in cooperation with =
the ILO Training Centre in Turin.

5.7 Technical cooperation and capacity building pro=
grammes (OECD)

PARIS21 Partnership in Stat=
istics for Development in the 21st Century

=20

Purpose

=20

PARIS21 is a partnership of national, regional and international statist=
icians, policy makers, analysts, development professionals and other users =
and producers of statistics, including civil society. PARIS21's goal is to =
develop a culture of Management for Development Results.

=20

Objectives and outputs

=20

PARIS21 activities focus on assisting all low-income and lower middle in=
come countries in the design, implementation, and monitoring of National St=
rategies for the Development of Statistics (NSDS). PARIS21 carries out this=
work through i) facilitating the co-ordination of stakeholders to better a=
ddress an evolving agenda, ii) advocating for increased involvement of nati=
onal stakeholders in statistical development and enhancing the status of st=
atistics in major international initiatives, iii) promote better-quality an=
d effectively implemented NSDSs, and iv) stimulating increased demand for a=
nd better use of data. Co-ordination activates include the annual Partner R=
eport on Support to Statistics, which provides an inventory of global suppo=
rt to statistical development, and the creation of national (country-donor)=
partnerships to discuss statistical issues. Advocacy activities have inclu=
ded the production of national booklets promoting the importance of statist=
ics in poverty reduction decision-making processes.

The Partnership in Statistics for Development in the 21st Century (PARIS=
21) is a global partnership of national, regional, and international statis=
ticians, analysts, policy-makers, development professionals, and other user=
s of statistics. The PARIS21 Consortium was established as a global forum a=
nd network to promote, influence, and facilitate statistical capacity devel=
opment and the better use of statistics.

=20

Objectives and outputs

=20

PARIS21's goal is to develop a culture of Management for Development Res=
ults. PARIS21 pursues this goal by encouraging and assisting low-income and=
lower middle income countries in the design, implementation, and monitorin=
g of National Strategies for the Development of Statistics (NSDS). The PARI=
S21 Secretariat supports NSDS processes primarily through the following typ=
es of activities: (1) facilitating the coordination of stakeholders to bett=
er address an evolving agenda, (2) advocating for increased involvement of =
national stakeholders in statistical development and enhancing the status o=
f statistics in major international initiatives, (3) promoting better-quali=
ty and effectively implemented NSDSs, and (4) stimulating increased demand =
for and better use of data. The PARIS21 Secretariat continues to co-manage =
and implement with the World Bank and other partners two key statistical pr=
ograms =E2=80=94 the International Household Survey Network (IHSN) and the =
Accelerated Data Program (ADP). The IHSN's objective is to bring survey pro=
ducers, sponsors, and users together to improve the use of survey data for =
policy making and monitoring. The ADP assists countries to undertake urgent=
improvements to produce consistent results for monitoring progress and mea=
suring change in key development indicators, including the MDGs.

In 2011, in collaboration with bilateral, regional, and international pa=
rtners, PARIS21 will conduct the next round of its "Partner Report on =
Support to Statistics (PRESS)." The aim of the exercise will be to rep=
ort on donor activities in support of statistical development, with an ulti=
mate objective of facilitating donor collaboration. In addition, PARIS21 wi=
ll update the NSDS guidelines, enriching them with experiences gained over =
the past several years. In order to better mainstream sectoral concerns int=
o national strategies, PARIS21 and UNESCO will also provide specific additi=
onal support in the development of education statistics to a number of Afri=
can pilot countries.

=20

Statistical Capacity Building

=20

Ongoing work:

=20

=E2=80=A2 In 2011, ongoing PARIS21 Secretariat work will involve activit=
ies at the national and regional level. The activities related to country s=
upport will focus on the facilitation of NSDS implementation, including the=
establishment of national partnerships of stakeholders around statistics. =
The national partnership is intended to facilitate a better alignment of do=
nor support to the NSDS implementation plan, increased mobilization of reso=
urces at the country level, and the use of more efficient and better coordi=
nated funding arrangements for statistical development activities. At the r=
egional level, workshops will be organised in the Andean Community, Arab St=
ates, South-East Asian, and Southern African regions to allow countries to =
share information and benefit from other countries' experiences in statisti=
cal development.

=20

Priority objectives:

=20

=E2=80=A2 The main aim of the PARIS21 partnership is to support implemen=
tation of well-designed and well-coordinated national and international sta=
tistical programmes, which have adequate funding and are centred on impleme=
nting NSDSs which both develop statistical capacity and provide data for im=
mediate priority needs.

=20

New activities:

=20

=E2=80=A2 In 2011, PARIS21 will monitor the implementation of the Dakar =
Declaration on the Development of Statistics, which outlines a five-point c=
all to action for the Partnership on issues relating to: strategy implement=
ation, mobilisation of technical and financial resources for statistics, co=
-ordination of donor support to statistics, meeting the needs of data users=
, and development of statistical tools and methodologies.

The UN Statistics Division's objective is to support national efforts in=
building and strengthening national statistical capacity of developing cou=
ntries, particularly the least developed countries, and of countries with e=
conomies in transition to produce reliable and timely statistics and indica=
tors for national policymakers and for other users at the national and inte=
rnational levels.

=20

Strategy

=20

To meet the overall objective, UN Statistics Division's capacity buildin=
g programme consists of providing advisory services, conducting workshops, =
organizing study tours, and making available statistical toolkits in three =
subject domains supplemented by activities related to the MDG indicators. T=
hese domains are i) national statistical system, ii) population censuses an=
d social statistics, and iii) national accounts, basic economic statistics,=
environment statistics, and environmental-economic accounting frameworks. =
The first domain covers activities directly related to the organization of =
national statistical systems, such as the building of better institutional =
arrangements, improved legal frameworks, better organizational structure an=
d better management of human resources. The other two subject domains are v=
ery broadly defined to cover together most substantive areas in statistics.=

=20

Ongoing work

=20

The main task within the domain of population censuses and social statis=
tics currently and for the next two years is to assist Member States in the=
implementation of the 2010 World Programme on Population and Housing Censu=
ses to be undertaken during 2005-2014. The goal of the 2010 World Programme=
is for all countries and areas to agree on a set of accepted international=
principles and recommendations governing the conduct of censuses and to di=
sseminate census results in a timely manner. Within the broad domain of nat=
ional accounts and basic economic statistics, the priorities are i) impleme=
ntation of the 2008 System of National Accounts (SNA), ii) implementation o=
f the revised recommendations in areas of industry statistics, internationa=
l trade statistics, distributive trade statistics, and tourism statistics, =
and iii) implementation of the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting =
(SEEA). UNSD also secured donor funding for the improvement of the MD=
G indicators. Through its regular programme and the donor funded projects U=
NSD will continue to assist developing countries with capacity development =
trainings in the areas of MDG indicators, and monitoring of MDGs particular=
ly in view of the 2015 deadline for the Millennium Development Goals.

=E2=80=A2 The purpose of a global assessment of the national statistical=
system (GA) is to provide a clear picture of the state of development of o=
fficial statistics in the country. It helps the national authorities to bet=
ter programme the long-term development of statistics, and also internation=
al donors to have a deep knowledge of their institutional and administrativ=
e work frame for the programming of statistical cooperation. More specifica=
lly, the objectives of a global assessment are: - T=
o assess the administrative capacity of the country in the field of statist=
ics - To assess the technical aspects of the statis=
tical system in the country - To assess the complia=
nce of national statistics with international standards

=20

GAs in Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia will be performed joint=
ly by the UNECE, Eurostat and EFTA. GAs aim at adding transparency and acco=
untability to the implementation process of the Fundamental Principles of O=
fficial Statistics and the European Statistics Code of Practice.

=20

Activities and output

=20

Most of the countries in the region have requested a GA. Kazakhstan, Arm=
enia and Azerbaijan have recently undergone a global assessment of their na=
tional statistical systems. Statistical systems of Kyrgyzstan and Ukraine c=
ould be assessed in 2011.

Assess and improve the statistical capacity in countries of South-East E=
urope (SEE) and Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia (EECCA) by enhanc=
ing their ability to meet the needs for major national and international cr=
oss-cutting policies. Increase the production and dissemination of gender r=
elevant statistical information, sustainable development indicators as well=
as indicators for the monitoring of the achievements towards the Millenniu=
m Declaration. All projects mentioned under activity 9.2 are financed throu=
gh successive tranches of the UN Development Account.

=20

Activities and output

=20

=E2=80=A2 Technical assistance on developing Millennium Development Goal=
s indicators, in support of statistical capacity building (see activity 3.2=
and 6.7).

=20

MDGs technical assistance activities are financed through:<=
br /> - UN Development Account Project of the 6th tranche (200=
9-2011), Supporting MDG-based development strategies through integrated reg=
ional action - UN Development Account Project of the 7th tranc=
he (2010-2012), Strengthening national statistical and inter-institutional =
capacities for monitoring the MDGs through interregional cooperation and kn=
owledge-sharing. - UN Development Account Project of the 7th t=
ranche (2010-2012) Enhancing key statistics and indicators to monitor progr=
ess towards the MDGs and other internationally agreed development goals. - ECE Statistical division submitted a project in the framework =
of the 8th tranche of the UN Development Account (2012-2013). The objective=
of the project is to strengthen the capacity of countries with economies i=
n transition for sustainable measurement of progress towards the MDGs, with=
emphasis on poverty and vulnerable population groups.

=20

=E2=80=A2 Technical assistance on developing measures for environmental =
sustainability, in support of statistical capacity in Eastern Europe, Cauca=
sus and Central Asia. Financed through the UN Development Account Project o=
f the 7th tranche (2010-2012) Strengthening statistical capacity of countri=
es with economies in transition to assess progress in achieving the Millenn=
ium Development Goal on Environmental Sustainability and provide data on en=
vironmental vulnerabilities.

Technical assistance on migration statistics are financed through the UN=
Development Account project of the 6th tranche (2009-2011), Strengthening =
national capacities to deal with international migration.

=20

=E2=80=A2 Technical assistance on engendering statistical information an=
d providing statistical information on violence against women in support of=
statistical capacity building in selected countries in the EECCA and SEE c=
ountries.

=20

The project is financed through the UN Development Account Project of th=
e 6th tranche (2009-2011), Enhancing capacities to eradicate violence again=
st women through networking of local knowledge communities.

The main priority is to strengthen the statistical capacity of EECCA and=
SEE countries to meet international standards and guidelines in areas such=
as national accounts, short-term economic statistics, demographic and soci=
al statistics, and gender statistics.

=20

Activities and output

=20

=E2=80=A2 In close cooperation with partner organisations, provide techn=
ical assistance to the SEE and EECCA countries in the implementation of 200=
8 SNA, including the organisation of a seminar on 2008 SNA and related econ=
omic statistics for EECCA countries (see activity 5.1)

=20

=E2=80=A2 Provide methodological and technical assistance on price stati=
stics to SEE and EECCA countries to support implementation of international=
ly recommended practices (see activity 5.3).

=20

=E2=80=A2 Support SEE and EECCA countries in the development and impleme=
ntation of statistical business registers following international standards=
and best practices (see activity 5.4)

=20

=E2=80=A2 Technical assistance on short-term economic statistics and sea=
sonal adjustment for SEE and EECCA countries (see activity 5.5). This activ=
ity is financed by the WB project (2010-2011) New Challenges in Economic St=
atistics in Central Asia and Eastern European countries.

=20

=E2=80=A2 Provide training and technical assistance to EECCA and SEE cou=
ntries in the field of population and housing censuses, based on their expr=
essed needs and in compliance with the CES Census Recommendations (see acti=
vity 6.1). In the framework of population and housing census capacity=
building activities, UNFPA is funding a project (2010-2011) on supporting =
effective use of information and communication technology in population cen=
sus operations.

=20

=E2=80=A2 Technical assistance in support of the preparations for the fi=
rst Population and Housing Census in Bosnia-Herzegovina and in the internat=
ionally administered territory of Kosovo, planned to take place in 2011, in=
cooperation with UNFPA, Eurostat and other involved international organiza=
tions. This includes participation in the International Monitoring and Obse=
rvation missions in Kosovo and in Bosnia and Herzegovina, aimed at ensuring=
that the population and housing censuses are planned and conducted in acco=
rdance with the internationally agreed standards (in particular the CES Cen=
sus Recommendations and the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics) =
and that the enumeration is fair and impartial(see activity 6.1).

=20

=E2=80=A2 Support for selected SEE and EECCA countries to build up disse=
mination databases, making use of the expertise and know-how accumulated in=
UNECE on dissemination systems of aggregated statistical information (see =
activity 6.1).

=20

=E2=80=A2 Identify country priorities and practices in the area of measu=
rement of quality of employment in the South-East European and EECCA region=
s (see activity 6.6).

=20

Activity 9.4: Short-term ad=
visory missions and training

=20

Description and objectives

=20

Provide specific advisory services in statistics to South-East European =
(SEE) and Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia (EECCA) countries in ar=
eas where the Statistical Division of UNECE has a recognised expertise.

=
=20

Activities and output

=20

=E2=80=A2 Provide short-term assistance to UNECE countries, upon request=
by national authorities or international organizations, with special empha=
sis on SEE and EECCA countries. Technical assistance is provided in a wide =
range of areas as required, such as: general organization of the national s=
tatistical system, national strategy for the development of statistics, sta=
tistical legislation, dissemination and marketing of statistical informatio=
n, population census, migration, gender statistics, short-term economic ind=
icators, national accounts, MDGs, etc.

=E2=80=A2 Upon request, short term mission to countries in the region (w=
ith or without partner organizations) could be organized in order to assess=
the relevance of applications for technical assistance projects.

=20

=E2=80=A2 Active participation in other international for a discussing a=
nd coordinating technical assistance in the UNECE region

=20

Activity 9.5: Technical coo=
peration in Central Asia

=20

Description and objectives

=20

Collect and share information on technical cooperation activities in sta=
tistics in Central Asian countries. Contribute to the Partner Reporting Sys=
tem on Statistical Development (PRESS), maintained by PARIS21 (Partnership =
in Statistics for Development in the 21st Century). Promote the statistical=
cooperation between the countries of Central Asia, Azerbaijan and Afghanis=
tan (under the UN Special Programme for Economies of Central Asia (SPECA)).=

=20

Activities and output

=20

=E2=80=A2 Launching of a technical assistance coordination group gatheri=
ng SPECA countries and main donor organisations in the region. The objectiv=
e of this group, under the UNECE umbrella, is to better coordinate among do=
nors and beneficiaries technical cooperation programmes and activities in t=
he region. Organize the Annual SPECA Project Working Group Meeting on Stati=
stics.

=20

=E2=80=A2 Provide timely and comprehensive information on all UNECE tech=
nical cooperation projects in statistics as a contribution to the global Re=
port on donor activities in the field of statistics produced annually by PA=
RIS21 (PRESS).

=E2=80=A2 The World Bank promotes statistical capacity building (SCB) ma=
inly through financial instruments, advisory services, knowledge products, =
and partnerships. Our activities are centred around the implementation of t=
he Marrakech Action Plans for Statistics (MAPS). Main financial instruments=
are loans and grants. Lending projects are mostly long term and comprehens=
ive in coverage. The projects typically aim at improved economic and social=
information for policy making and poverty reduction by strengthening plann=
ing, statistical legislations, infrastructure, human resources, data collec=
tion, processing, analyzing, archiving, and dissemination. A multi-country =
lending program, Statistical Capacity Building Program (STATCAP), became op=
erational in 2004 to make investments in statistical development easier and=
more effective. It is designed to be simple to initiate, plan and operate.=

=20

=E2=80=A2 A $32 million loan under STATCAP for a statistical capacity bu=
ilding program in Ukraine was approved by the Bank's Executive Board in 200=
4 and is currently being implemented. The loan includes finance for organiz=
ational and management reform, development of statistical infrastructure, m=
odernization of computing infrastructure, technical assistance in various a=
reas, and use of economic data in analysis and forecasting.

=20

=E2=80=A2 In the Russian Federation as a part of the STATCAP facility a =
new $50 million Project for Development of the State Statistical System (ST=
ASYS 2) became effective in April 2008. The project is now under implementa=
tion as a follow up to the STASYS project which was completed in December 2=
006. For the STASYS 2 Project, the World Bank finances 20% of the above amo=
unt to i) enforce further modernization of statistics methodology in compli=
ance with the international standards; ii) strengthen development of modern=
design and technology for statistical data collection, processing, and dis=
semination; iii) ensure enhancement of social statistics, and iv) support h=
uman resource development in the statistical system.

=20

=E2=80=A2 A STATCAP project for Tajikistan was approved in 2006, and cur=
rently under implementation. The project is being supported by co-financing=
from DFID and SIDA, as well as in-kind contributions from the Turkish Inte=
rnational Cooperation Agency (TICA). The mid-term review of the project was=
conducted in November 2008 with quite positive findings. The project is mo=
ving on schedule and it is anticipated that all activities will be complete=
d by the closing date of June 2011.

=20

=E2=80=A2 The World Bank manages a multi-donor Trust Fund for Statistica=
l Capacity Building (TFSCB which aims to strengthen the capacity of statist=
ical systems in developing countries. It supports: i) NSDS projects assisti=
ng the preparation of National Strategies for the Development of Statistics=
(NSDS); and ii) Statistical capacity improvement projects aiming at streng=
thening the capacity in key priority areas. TFSCB also funds participation =
of developing country representatives in meetings, seminars and workshops. =
It has financed a number of projects in the region and there are currently =
an NSDS and capacity building project in Armenia, and capacity building pro=
jects in Kyrgyz Republic and Turkmenistan. In addition, participation of se=
veral staff of Moldovan National Bureau of Statistics in an international c=
onference was recently funded.

=20

=E2=80=A2 The World Bank Development Grant Facility provided grants to U=
NECE in the total amount of 950,000 USD to strengthen national capacity to =
improve gender statistics in Southern and Eastern Europe. These grants fall=
under the Marrakesh Action Plan for Statistics umbrella, and were used to =
finance the following objectives: i) improve gender sensitivity of National=
Statistical Systems in order to increase availability, raise quality and i=
mprove access to data for developing, monitoring, and evaluating gender pol=
icies; and ii) increase capacity of users to utilize statistics for policy =
making and how to judge the quality and availability of data at the nationa=
l and regional level.

=20

=E2=80=A2 The World Bank maintains a web site on Statistical Capacity Bu=
ilding which provides information on the financial instruments, including S=
TATCAP and TFSCB, advisory services, databases, and reference materials ava=
ilable in support of statistical capacity building. See http://www.worldbank=
.org/data/statcap.

=20

=E2=80=A2 The Development Gateway Foundation initiative, in which the ba=
nk works together with the DGF and the IMF, is aiming at the development of=
a portal website on development issues, from which users will be able to a=
ccess information, resources and tools, and into which they will be able to=
contribute their own knowledge and experience http://www.developmentgateway.or=
g/

=20

=E2=80=A2 The Country Statistical Information Database provides informat=
ion on national statistical systems useful for assessing statistical capaci=
ty and monitoring progress in statistical capacity building in developing c=
ountries. The database contains information encompassing various aspects of=
national statistical systems and operations, such as statistical law, nati=
onal statistical strategy, statistical practice, censuses and surveys, nati=
onal statistical agencies and publications, , and World Bank statistical pr=
ojects. It also includes a country-level composite statistical capacity ind=
icator based on evaluation of countries against a set of criteria in the ar=
eas of statistical practice, data collection and indicator availability, co=
nsistent with international recommendations. In addition, the database allo=
ws for cross-country comparisons of selected indicators. See h=
ttp://www.worldbank.org/data/countrydata/csid.html.

=20

=E2=80=A2 The World Bank provides funding to PARIS21 from its developmen=
t Grant Facility for the implementation of the Accelerated Data Program (AD=
P), jointly implemented with the World Bank Data Group. The ADP provides su=
pport to countries in the areas of microdata documentation, dissemination a=
nd preservation. The Russian Federal Service of State Statistics (Rosstat) =
was introduced to the software and practices promoted by the ADP.

=20

=E2=80=A2 A new web-based tool called the "Bulletin Board on Statis=
tical Capacity (BBSC)" has been launched on the World Bank website. Th=
e tool will help strengthen the capacity of countries, especially IDA count=
ries, to compile and use statistics with an overall aim of supporting the m=
anagement of development results. Specifically, the BBSC: i) presents key i=
nformation on national statistical systems collected from national and inte=
rnational sources, including planning, funding, human resources, census and=
surveys; ii) assesses countries' statistical capacity in key areas includi=
ng institutional framework, statistical methodology, source data, data peri=
odicity and timeliness through the use of a composite indicator, checklists=
, maps and charts; and iii) allows users to provide feedback and updates ea=
sily and quickly with interactive features. The BBSC is available online at=
: ht=
tp://www.worldbank.org/data/bbsc.

=20

New activities

=20

There are two TFSCB projects in the pipeline: i) project to support UNEC=
E led training activities to improve the capacity of the National Statistic=
al Offices in Central Asia and East European sub-regions in production and =
dissemination of economic statistics; and ii) project to strengthen sub-nat=
ional capacity for analysis of living conditions in Russia. In addition, it=
is anticipated that the TFSCB will provide funding to strengthen training =
programs for the national statistical offices of the Commonwealth Independe=
nt States in the coming year.